The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-11-02
A CONSOLIDATION.
BY SARAH s. PRATT.


was occupied by two persons. One OF
them sat on rickcty chair, his feet on
the table. He was smoking and absent
ly scanning the walls. The Sanctum, to
his fastidious taste, was not an attractive
place, but his friendship for the young
editor who was working hard ata desk,
drew him here every evening. On table
lay great bound files of the J3urnal. The
dust on them was only disturbed when
the editor desired to look up some cdi-
torial. The telephone was convenient
to the table, and on the wall beside it
were some fresco ornamcntations which
might be traced to the "devil." A. big
bodied brass lamp with the corpses of
hundreds OF summer insects glued to it
by the he.exuding al-oil, sat on the table
Somebody had improviscd shade by
cutting hole in piece of paper and
putting it over the chimney. The mu-
cilagc bottle, inkstand and shears were
side by side rs if ready to abct each 9TH
in any undertaking. A window opened
into 4 back room and a begrimcd face
appeared at it and called:
Copy, sir" This "sir" was a COM
plimcnt only bestowed upon the editor,
the ''devir' having no respect for any
dignity less than that one.
John Edwards caught up pile of
loose manuscript and handed it in.
"There," he said, "that will run them
for while. Fulton, if You are in a
hurry don't wait for me. 1 have some
thing want to write up for my literary
department.
He threw his head back and paced
around the apartment, his tall athletic
form seeming to enjoy the freedom of
using its legs. H. looked around at the
diDginess of the place and laughed.
Shabby place, isn't it, Fulton:"
"Pvc just been wondering where on
earth you get the inspirati for those
fine little criticisms of yours. This place
is enough to kill genius. Ever been
down at Newtown2 The Critic down
there has perfect gem of q sanctum.
Clean, neat"
{ i'And flowers, Ill bet a hat" inter
-'rupted Edwards.
Fulton laughed. ''Not only flowers
; but a desk with tiles and brass, and
. carved wood. Then there's a carpet,
brussels carpet, and chairs, whole chairs,
mind you, and papercd walls and pict-
'urcs.
John Edwards stood still, enjoying
the description.
II don't know that fellow, but have
great curiosity to, but reading his paper
every week, I've formed an opinion of
him which your description justifes.
He's no force in politics at all but in
everything pertaining to literature and
good ia. te he is unusual"
Just then a boy entered with an arm
full of mail. Edwards walked to the
table, glanced over it, and singled out a
paper.
'Idon't believe in any of those heathcn-
ISL fads, theosophy and the like, don't
know thing about them and care
less -
"You're a most unprogressive l,.iow,
Fulton, but look here" He bent over
the table and held up 1 piece of paper
on which were written the headlines:
4'The New Craze Buddhism and Boston.
The Light OF Asia, Reviewed."
W SSC W udI lilSIl W NlIlS, III
resumed "Wcll, there is queer liter
ary sympathy between this Ncwtown
Critic man and myself. l would almost
bet that in this paper or in next weeks
anyhow there viii, be a criticism on the
Light of Asia.''
He tore off the wrapper, turned to q
certain department and laughed. Here
it is" He SKINNED over it rapidly. "It
is so good" he said, ''that shall copy it
entire and leave my own article unwrit-
ten. You see." and Edwards walked
around and resumed his chair, ''this fel-
low is perpetually scooping me on such
articles. He comes out two days before
I do, and he invariably write; Oh subjects
that l have in view. Now, if | print my
subjects. my views arc 50 near his own
that he will think l am simply adapting
his articles, so l copy them entire, and
my printers have the impudcncc to tel
me there is more Critic than Journ0i
about the paper. What's his name. any
how"
"Irving Washington Irving. HI
claims to be a third cousin of the original
believe. Miss Irving, the sister, is q
daisy of a girl. see he. often. I'll tel
YOU. Edwards, how yoa can get out o.
the d.iiiculty,' and Fulton lighted wis;
OF paper. held it to his cigar and ma l.
ready to go. Propose a consolidate,
to Irving"
Edwards rose to his feet; his eyes shin
ing.
glove but that's magnificent idea
Why did it never strike me: VIII.
Fulton"
But that gentleman was already hal
way down stairs, aad Edwards cnthu
siasm took the form Of long aid minut
letter to Washington Irving, editor o
The Newt~wn Critic, setting forth The IN
cStimab.c bcicfis that would accrue (
that paper from permanent union wit
the Bloomvillc J.urnaI. From lon!
acquaintance with you cditorially," 81
r,n the letter. Il am certain that Oil
united work would result in unusual sue
cess. The woad rful tact and oh Scrva
ton mantle ted in your general articles
combined with my practical knowledge
would make the Bloomvilic journal
paper of the highest class" Then fol
lowed financial propo <itions, very liberia
ones, for John Edwards was the embodi
ment of libcrality both in the Try an'
practice.
The sixteen hours that elapsed bcfor
an answer came, were long ones to IN